How to Practice Responsible Fish Keeping

Responsible fish keeping begins with how you set up your aquarium tank. Choose the aquarium that will comfortably house all the fish that you want. You may have heard some people say that fish will only grow to the size of their tank. This is basically a myth. Before long, you will need to buy a larger aquarium, if you don’t want your fish getting sick or dying on you due to lack of space and oxygen.

Research the kind of fish you want to have so you will know the size of aquarium you should buy. Pick an aquarium that can accommodate your fish in their adult size. If your fish becomes bigger than your tank, putting them in a bigger aquarium is the sensible thing to do.

Make sure that the fish you choose will be compatible with each other. Responsible fish keepers will not add different species to the same aquarium without first making sure that they will get along. Different fish have different requirements for pH, water temperature, and other measurements, too. Do not purchase too many fish for your tank, either. Just because they are small doesn’t mean that several dozen of them can fit in your small aquarium.

When you want to dispose of some of your fish or aquatic plants, be sure not to release them in a pond, stream or other water bodies anywhere. This is because fish that have grown too big for your aquarium may not fare well in other environment or, even if they survive, they may cause an imbalance in the local ecosystem when they breed or feed on other creatures in the water.

Many tropical species found in aquariums simply can’t survive the temperatures outdoors, especially during winter, so setting them free outside is essentially a death sentence. Instead, upgrade their tank size or return your fish to the pet store.

Aside from the fish tank, you will also need a heater and water filter. These are essentials in your aquarium. The type of your water filter will be determined by the size of your tank. The type of the fish you plan to have will determine the type of heater you need.

Responsible fish keeping dictates that you regularly change the water in your tank even if you already have a water filter installed. A weekly test of your tank’s water condition is also a must. Check that only acceptable levels of pH, nitrite and ammonia are present.

Small fish are often neglected when there are bigger fish around. All your fish should receive proper care and nourishment. Research their food requirements and give them only what is considered proper diet for them. Buy supplies only from aquarium stores that have good reputations. Ask pet stores for their recommendations.

Responsible fish keeping means a dedicated effort to take very good care of all the needs of your fish.

Leonard Boyler has been keeping fish for more than two decades. His favorite products make aquarium care and maintenance very easy from start up to clarifying cloudy aquarium water. To learn more about how you can keep your water clear and have healthy fish, please visit